January 2008 Campus Ministry Update

 

The Ivy Jungle Network

Campus Ministry Update

January 2008

 

Take 5 Minutes to take the 2008 Campus Ministry Survey!  Every 2 years, the Ivy Jungle conducts a survey of men and women in campus ministry.  Results will help gauge the state of campus ministry today as well as provide helpful information on who is doing campus ministry.  To take the survey, click here.

 

Trends in Student Ministry, Culture and Higher Education:

 

College Students Seek Meaning in Life:  Researchers at the UCLA Higher Education Research Institute say their work shows that college students are in fact "spiritual but not religious."  For most college students, attendance at religious services decreases during their time on campus.  The study shows that approximately 43% of incoming freshman say they "frequently attend" services and only  about 20% say they "never attend."  By junior year those frequently attending has dropped to about  25% while those not attending at all are about 37%.   However, the researchers report a "significant growth" among students nationwide in the desire to "engage in a spiritual quest, to be more caring, and to develop and ecumenical worldview."   By junior year theses students showed sometimes significant increases in categories such as the  importance in "helping others in difficulty"; "reducing pain and suffering in the world;" "improving my understanding of other countries and cultures;" and support for "improving the human condition."  The study, which encompassed more than 14, 000 students from 136 campuses, describes these categories as increases in spirituality.  (USA Today December 18, 2007)

More on Religion and Spirituality:   The UCLA study on Spirituality in Higher Education study shows that students who entered college in 2004 reported an increase in their desire to grow spiritually, despite a drop in religious activities.  The researchers in the study define religion as "primarily belonging in a community of faith and following a dogma and the principles of a particular faith."  They define spirituality more broadly as "the search for meaning in one's life" and posing existential questions.  Increases in attitudes toward an "ecumenical worldview" (see above) were evident between freshman year and junior year.   However, most religious practices and beliefs such as prayer, belief in life after death, the importance of following religious teachings or personal rating of their own "religiousness" remained essentially flat.  Attendance at services dropped significantly.  Researchers are uncertain of the cause for the increases as 60% of students say professors never encourage discussion of religious or spiritual matters.  (Inside Higher Education December 18, 2007)

Religious People Give More:  Religious Americans give more money and time to charitable causes than their non-religious neighbors.   A new book by Arthur Brooks, Who Really Cares, analyzed ten data sets, concluding that religiosity is one of the best predictors of charitable giving.  Religious citizens give 3.5 times more money, volunteer with organizations twice as often, are 57% more likely to help the homeless, and 66% more likely to donate blood than those who are not religious.   The findings also paint an unexpected political picture as those who are more religious also tend to be more conservative in social and political issues.  In fact, of the 25 states with above average charitable giving, 24 voted for George Bush in the last election.  In Arkansas, citizens donate an average of 3.9% of their income, while in Massachusetts it is only 1.8%.   Good news for religion, however, among religious people, the data showed nothing distinctive about those who consider themselves evangelicals.  (Books and Culture January/February 2008 p. 11)

Professor – Student Relationships:  UCLA is one of a number schools which have restricted or banned relationships between professors and students with whom they have – or may have direct supervision.   However, Dr. Paul Abrahmson, a married psychology professor at UCLA has drawn criticism for saying that as places of liberty, universities ought not restrict the behavior of consenting adults.  He suggests students and faculty sign waivers, similar to a medical release that would warn of the dangers of power difference and favoritism in such relationships and not hold the university responsible for failed romances.    Critics point to limits on dating in many work situations and believe the restrictions are important to protect students who may feel victims of harassment if and when a relationship ends.  (Chicago Tribune,  January 4, 2008 p. 5)

Increasing Enrollment:  According to Education Department projections, college enrollment is expected to increase by 17% between 2005 and 2016, bringing the total number of students to about 20 million by that time.  Women and minorities will fuel the growth in attendance.   While white student enrollment will grow by 8%, black students will grow by 29%; Latinos by 45%, Asian students by 32% and American Indian Students by 34%.  Women will outpace men with an increase of 22% compared to 10% (Inside Higher Education December 19, 2007)

Marketing Small Colleges:  Aside from the top 40 private institutions in the country, the rest of the approximately 600 private colleges in the US will likely have a difficult time attracting high quality students in the coming years.  As most of these schools rely heavily on tuition for their annual budgetary needs, this presents a critical problem of existence.  In response, many are looking to hire marketing and branding experts to help them differentiate themselves in the competitive world of higher education.  Value, small college experience, personal attention, and specialty focus are all ways schools are looking to develop their niche to attract students.  Schools have found such efforts both boost enrollment and help generate alumni giving as their reputation increases. ( Chicago Tribune January 21, 2008 section 3 p. 3)

Tuition Promises Increase:  An increasing number of cities are following the example of the Kalamzoo, MI, Hammond, IN, and Pittsburgh in establishing funds to provide guaranteed tuition scholarships for students who complete high school and go to college (usually in state).  Now 20 cities have similar programs, most privately funded and all an attempt to help students see an importance and personal future in obtaining a college education.  The College Board estimates that costs for tuition and fees have increased by more than 50% nationwide in the last decade.  (Chicago Tribune December 23, 2007 sec. 1 p. 3)

Rich Get Richer:  The most elite universities in the US have experienced a tremendous financial boom in the last decade.  The number of universities with at least $1 billion in endowment jumped to 76, double the number just 5 years ago.  Spending on operations have more than doubled at Harvard, Yale, and Princeton.  However the gap between the elite and the rest continues to grow.  Ten schools account for half of the donations to higher education in the last year.  State schools, which educate approximately 75% of the nation's students feel the pinch of increasing enrollment, government budget cutbacks, and trying to keep up with the top schools.  The wealth gap impacts technology, facilities, recruitment of a diverse student body,  and faculty.  In 1981, full professors at public schools earned salaries equal to 91% of their private institution peers.  That has fallen to 78% in 2006-2007.  (Wall Street Journal December 1-2, 2007 A9)

Young Voters in Iowa:  Barack Obama benefited from young voters in Iowa.  11% of voters under 30 voted in the caucuses, up from 4% in 2004.  Among the Democratic caucus voters, 22% were under 30, up from 17% in 2004.  57% of Democrats under 30 backed Obama, with Edwards in second at 14%. (Inside Higher Education January 4, 2008)

Female Drinkers:   A recent report in the journal, Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research confirms that male college students consistently out drink their female counterparts, with one exception:  parties with themes, especially sexual themes or costume parties.  Those who play drinking games also drink more than those who do not.  The report has special interest to researchers on alcohol consumption as it is not based on self-reporting but researcher observation at more than 60 off-campus college parties.  (Inside Higher Education January 4, 2008)

Yale Boosts Financial Aid:  Yale joined the ranks of elite schools offering more financial aid, promising an increase from $24 million to $80 million annually in student aid.  They have cut the average cost of attendance for students from families with incomes of less than $200,000 and promised to limit tuition, room and board increases to 2.2%, equal to inflation and considerably less than the national average for private schools.  Yale possesses the second largest endowment at $22.5 billion.  Harvard's endowment has surpassed $35 billion.  Both funds have done extremely well, earning more than 20%.  (USA Today January 14, 2008)

Wikipedia Ban:  Professors continue to ban Wikipedia as a research tool, citing too many incorrect entries.  Designed as a user generated and edited encyclopedia, anyone can contribute to or change a Wikipedia entry.  One professor at the University of Brighton has gone even further, banning the use of Google.  Calling it "white bread for the mind," she objects to the easy answers to complex questions with little sorting of shallow ideas from serious referenced work.  She states, "Google is filling, but does not necessarily offer nutritional content."  (Inside Higher Education January 14, 2008)

Writing About God:  Academic writers seem to be interested in God again.   Charles Taylor, professor emeritus at McGill University, gives a believer's critique of secularization in his book, A Secular Age (Harvard University Press).  Mark Taylor and Mark Lilla also look at the role of God in their works, After God (University of Chicago Press) and The Stillborn God (Knopf) respectively.  (Inside Higher Education December 31, 2007)

Spiritual Marketplace:  John Schmalzbauer, co-investigator of the National Study of Campus Ministries reports that campus ministry is doing well these days.  Evangelical groups have increased their presence through both church based and parachurch organizations.  In addition, Catholic, Jewish, and mainline Protestant groups have all seen a reverse in their downward trends and are growing through "innovative programs" and "congregational approaches."  (Touchstone, November 2007 p. 42)

 

 

*** Events, Resources and Jobs ***

 

*** Resources: ***

 

 

Take the 2008 Ivy Jungle Campus Ministry Survey:  Help us learn more about the current state of campus ministry and campus ministers.  5 minutes of your time will mean better information on the health of campus ministries, statistics on things like longevity and salaries (helpful for raising support or talking to boards), and understanding challenges faced by students today.  To take the survey go to http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=tfHlWnwC_2fOUHWlTelFSW7A_3d_3d

 

2007 Ivy Jungle Conference:  Special thanks to the 2007 College Ministry Conference Sponsors:  Coalition for Christian Outreach – Jubilee, Compassion International, Expelled the Movie, Food for the Hungry, and Growing Leaders!  Visit www.ivyjungle.org to order recordings of plenary sessions, early bird sessions, and breakouts. 

Campusministry.com is a community committed to creating an interactive space for ideas, connection and collaboration in campus ministry.  Our desire is to usher in a new architecture of participation in campus ministry. One in which campus staff, pastors, chaplains, college students and others, regardless of ministry affiliation, can add content, resources and connect with each other.  From Bible Studies to Articles, Templates to Podcasts, campusministry.com hopes to provide high-quality resources to those in campus ministry and invites others to do the same.  Facebook is the platform we use for social connection and collaboration in campus ministry.  Visit the Page, Join the Group. Join the Cause.   Thanks for participating and sharing the site with others. 

If you are interested in learning more, visit www.campusministry.com or contact Chris Cooke at info@campusministry.com   
                                                               

 

 

Resources from ProActive Faith for your campus ministry:

  • God Moments In Time:
  • o Each chapter has five discussion questions.
  • o Ideal for small groups!
  • o Will challenge your students to live a life in such a way that God can open doors of opportunity in their life where they can experience God Moments In Time.
  • o Read the customer reviews @ Amazon.com & BarnesandNoble.com
  • o Order 20 copies or more for the bulk price of $5.00 each
  • CRUNCH Time:
  • o A five session evangelism resource written for students on the collegiate campus.
  • Evangelism Training:
  • o Evangelism training is done through resources such as CRUNCH Time or The CROSS Training (www.mostimportantthing.org)

Need a Speaker:

  • o Please contact Thomas, a former campus minister of a BSU, if you need a speaker for your ministry. He is available for one or multiple nights.
  • o Thomas is a law enforcement chaplain and can share on how to live through crisis.

Visit our website www.proactivefaith.org to discover how these resources will impact the lives of your students and their campus.  You can also call our office at (405) 607-0722.

Free shipping when you enter ivy jungle in the discount code box.   After you place your order you will receive a personal call from our office to confirm your order before any charges are made to your credit card.

 

 

Your Campus Can Change the World:  Looking to engage your students in the Global Orphan Crisis? Want to impact the AIDS/HIV epidemic? Looking to mobilize your campus toward Social Justice? Check out Rice Bowls.

Rice Bowls are small plastic piggy banks in the shape of a full bowl of rice, provided at no cost to you. When filled with change, the funds from Rice Bowls supply much needed food to a strong network of loving, Christian Orphanages. As a faith-based non-profit, Rice Bowls partners directly with these orphanages, currently in India, Haiti, and Sub-Saharan Africa, where the HIV/AIDS crisis, as well as other factors, have greatly marginalized the lives of children. 

Rice Bowls is a simple, yet extremely effective, way to make a difference in the lives of vulnerable children. Learn more and order online at WWW.RICEBOWLS.ORG.

 

*** Jobs: ***

 

IJM Student Ministries Director:  The International Justice Mission seeks a Director of Student Ministries to provide leadership and management for student focused educational initiatives.  To view a complete job description and instructions for applications go to http://www.ijm.org/NETCOMMUNITY/page.redir?target=http%3a%2f%2f216.128.18.195%2fIJMhr%2fDir_Student_Min.pdf&srcid=243&erid=0. 

Director College Ministries. Christ Church Presbyterian (PCA), Atlanta, seeks a person with experience of college ministry to join our staff.  Following a successful shared post with Campus Crusade, this city church now wishes to appoint its own full-time position.  

We seek a person of strong evangelical and reformed faith, a firm commitment to Scripture as God's Word written, and with great motivation to see college students (undergrad and postgrad) grow in their faith and outreach.  Leaders from Campus Crusade, RUF and InterVarsity worship with us, and part of this work will be to encourage and help them in their campus ministries.  We seek a person who is strongly committed to the local church and who will work to help students integrate into our congregation.  This will involve helping the church become more welcoming of students, organising "families" and friendships within the church for students who desire them, training for and encouraging one to one (mentoring) relationships etc.  The gifts of teaching, building relationships, pastoring, evangelism and hospitality will be necessary gifts for the dynamic leader we seek.  The church is close to Georgia Tech, Georgia State, SCAD (art college), and draws some students from Emory, Agnes Scott, Oglethorpe etc.  Over 300,000 students study for degrees in Atlanta. We believe this ministry at ChristChurch has huge potential. Applicants should be comfortable discussing their faith in depth with  undergraduate and post graduate students. email christyy@ccpnet.org.  Also see www.christchurchatlanta.org   Applications by Feb 25th. Interviews early March. Full benefits package, salary commensurate with experience.

 

 

Minister to the University and Dean of the Chapel at Shorter College:  This position answers to the President and is charged with the development, planning, management, and assessment of the Officer of Christian Development through three areas of ministry as follows:

 

Campus Spiritual Development: Responsibilities will be planning, developing, and implementing programs and providing opportunities that enrich the spiritual life of the students, faculty and staff.  As a part of this responsibility, the Minister/Dean will work cooperatively with the BCM director to achieve spiritual development goals.

Missions:  As a part of the Global Citizenship emphasis of the College, the Minister/Dean will develop and provide outreach mission opportunities both foreign and domestic for students, faculty, and staff.

Church and Denominational Relations:  Will work in coordination with the President to build relationships with pastors, youth ministers, congregations and denominational leaders within the shorter college service area.

A Ph.D. in Theology, Biblical Studies, or Ministry Studies preferred.  Experience in campus ministry desirable.  Membership in a Georgia Baptist convention church is required.

Send cover letter, resume, transcripts and statement of religious philosophy to Human Resources, Shorter College, 315 Shorter Ave., Rome, GA 30165 or email hrjobs@shorter.edu.  Shorter College is a Georgia Baptist Convention Institution. EOE

 

Campus Minister :  Collegiate Presbyterian Church  in Ames, IA.  We seek a full-time minister with a heart for Jesus Christ and a passion for ministry with university students and young adults. Collegiate Presbyterian, P.C.(U.S.A.) is a progressive congregation committed to shared ministry between university students and faculty of Iowa State University and the Ames community. Our campus minister will reach out to and build relationships with students, plan programs, lead an annual spring break mission trip, participate in worship and lead Bible study, provide oversight and mentoring to our student leadership team, and initiate new young adult programs. Candidates should be a college graduate (ordained Ministers of Word and Sacrament welcomed) with a minimum of three years experience working with youth or young adults and program planning. A successful candidate will be flexible, work well with others, be comfortable with theological diversity, and have a solid grounding in the Reformed Christian tradition. To learn more about CPC please visit www.cpcames.org.  Send cover letter and resume or PIF to University Minister Search Committee, Collegiate Presbyterian Church, 159 Sheldon Ave., Ames, IA., 50014. You may also e-mail your application to CPCStaffPosition@gmail.com.  

Alabama Rural Ministry has the following paid positions open for mature, college-age Christians who want to serve the Lord in real, hands-on ways.  Construction Coordinator: works with youth teams, organizes building materials, works with families needing home repair.  Day Camp Counselor:  Works with volunteers who lead VBS activities with day camp children.  Site Coordinator:  Overall organizer of each site and manager.  All work together in the evenings leading youth volunteers in discussion groups, drama, praise and worship and more!  See our website at www.arm-al.org or email info@arm-al.org for more information.

 

College Pastor:  Elmbrook Church in Brookfield, WI, is searching for a Pastor for Collegiate Ministries. We are looking for someone who is ready to serve Jesus Christ and college age people in the Milwaukee area by shepherding and providing visionary direction to the Collegiate Ministries of Elmbrook Church (a church-based campus ministry).  This role entails developing and maintaining an atmosphere of authenticity and compassion – through this, moving those in the ministry forward as a community and as individuals towards maturity in Christ.  This person needs to be a visible reflection of Christ through relationships and teaching so that college age people are engaged and challenged. They are to model servant leadership by providing training, support, and encouragement to the Collegiate Ministries'  interns, student leaders, and adult leaders.  Throughout all of this, they are to join together in prayer and discussion with the Collegiate Ministries' team to discern God's vision for the ministry and to determine specific plans and goals for each year.

 

All inquiries should be directed to Scott Arbeiter, Senior Associate Pastor, at sarbeiter@elmbrook.org.

 

Westminster House is the Presbyterian Campus Ministry at the University of California, Berkeley.  We are seeking our next leader who will follow the Rev. Randy Bare.  Randy is moving on to take a new position after 12 years of distinguished leadership. Westminster House has an annual budget of over $2.3 million dollars. We provide housing for 175 students and a variety of other programs described on our website:  westminsterhouse.org

Our mission:  Westminster House seeks to grow tomorrow's leaders by encouraging personal spiritual growth and social commitment through residential community and an educational center of excellence;

A competitive Salary, Housing and benefits package that takes into account the cost of housing in the Bay Area will be negotiated with the successful candidate. A full position description is available by request.  Please email randy@westminsterhouse.org

Interested Applicants please send resume, C.V. and/or Personal Information Form by electronic mail only to:  search@westminsterhouse.org

Trinity Fellows:  "Do you want to make a meaningful difference in the world and your career but are unclear as to how to apply your faith to your work and life calling? If so, the Trinity Fellows Program attempts to answer the question: "what will I do with my life?".  The Trinity Fellows Program is a nine-month (September through May) leadership development and training program for young adults recently out of college or graduate school. Young men and women from all walks of life come together to engage in a program designed to foster a God-centered view of knowledge, culture, work and life. Fellows receive theological training, participate in seminars with Christian scholars and community leaders, and enjoy one-on-one mentoring relationships with mature Christian men and women. Fellows apply their training as they minister in the community, work in a secular marketplace internship and interact with their host family.  Trinity Presbyterian Church (PCA) in Charlottesville, Virginia is home to the Fellows Program. Home to the University of Virginia, Charlottesville offers a myriad of restaurants, coffee shops, theaters, art galleries, and live music venues, as well as outdoor activities such as mountain biking, hiking, and skiing. Its location in Central Virginia allows easy access to the natural beauty of the Appalachian Trail and Virginia Beach as well as the urban centers of Washington, D.C. and Richmond.  For more information go to www.trinitycville.org (click on "Trinity Fellows" icon) or contact the Trinity Fellows Coordinator, Dennis Doran at 434-977-3700 x124 or via e-mail at dennis.doran@trinitycville.org."

Dean of Campus Ministries/Campus Pastor

 

Bethel University is seeking an individual to provide vision and leadership for the Campus Ministries programs as an essential part of Bethel's educational mission.  Individual leads, builds, empowers, and supervises a gifted and diverse ministry team, preaches regularly with application to issues facing 21st century Christians, and provides leadership in achieving Bethel's commitment to being an anti-racist campus which celebrates the biblical diversity of the body of Christ.  Requires five to seven years of successful senior leadership in a campus ministries, church, or parachurch setting.  Doctorate and seminary education preferred. Classroom teaching experience preferred.  Please visit our website for more information at http://www.bethel.edu/human-resources/employment-staff.html 

 

 

 

To advertise in the Campus Ministry Update – visit the website and click on "Advertiser Information" or send an email to info@ivyjungle.org